Toyota & F1

[Monty 0]

Is is too early to discard Toyota. I did hope they will be come in strong this year, as they signed new drivers, lots of money and Mike Gascoyine etc.

Listening to Trulli and Ralf, they don't sound too convinced about their machine either...

[Sato 0]

They defeniatly changed their tune once they tested the new car.

[Monty 0]

They defeniatly changed their tune once they tested the new car.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I was actually expecting them to give the big boys a hard time. Perhaps they are still in the process of developing the car, as we have seen with Renaults who are doing well these days and BAR and today it looks like the BAR are back on their feet.

[Sato 0]

I guess that could be it but, both those teams from the get go have been happy with their cars, the toyota drivers don't seem very impressed. I just hope if they do go bad that Toyoyta don't pull out or anything.

[nojvnof1 0]

I heard this is make or break year for Toyota, and they might just pull out if no results are forthcoming. Apparently the bosses at Toyota claim podiums are a must this year.

[jjoseph 0]

In my opinion, they can improve this year. I think it will be easy to score more than 9 points with a good driver lineup and a good car.

[Taku 0]

I heard this is make or break year for Toyota, and they might just pull out if no results are forthcoming. Apparently the bosses at Toyota claim podiums are a must this year.

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yeah, that supra's gathering some serious dust now!

[Senna 0]

I heard this is make or break year for Toyota, and they might just pull out if no results are forthcoming. Apparently the bosses at Toyota claim podiums are a must this year.

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I heard that as well. They must realise it takes time to improve and they

[Monty 0]

Fellas, This is from BBC's webpage. and the link if anyone is intrested

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport...one/4239471.stm

Trulli confesses Toyota problems

Toyota driver Jarno Trulli has revealed that the team is having problems with its new 2005 Formula One car.

Trulli told Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport the car was using up its tyres too quickly, damaging its ability to keep its pace over a race distance.

"The car seems quick and competitive, but not over the distance," he said.

"The problem is excessive rear tyre wear; we have three weeks left (before the cars are sent to Australia for the first race) and we hope to resolve it."

Toyota are substantially to change the car's aerodynamics before the car hits the track in Melbourne, but Trulli said the team did not know what was causing the problem

It would be particularly damaging this season if it was not solved, as new rules ban tyre changes - teams must use a single set of tyres for qualifying and race.

Trulli said the problem reminded him of a similar characteristic that afflicted his Jordan car in 2000 and 2001 - a machine that was designed under the leadership of Mike Gascoyne, now Toyota's technical director.

"It's definitely not the weight distribution," Trulli said, "but we still haven't worked out whether it is an aerodynamic problem or mechanical.

"After three laps, the car becomes more difficult to drive, and in that it reminds me of my old Jordan.

"It's a shame because the car is easy to drive and the problems of engine reliability have been resolved."

[kiko01 0]

In my opinion, they can improve this year. I think it will be easy to score more than 9 points with a good driver lineup and a good car.

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The driver line up is not good and the car doesn

[Monty 0]

The driver line up is not good and the car doesn

[Jenson_Rules 0]

I don't think they have made a mistake with the druvers because they are both good on their day, and they are also experianced which is what toyota needs, i just think toyota are learning the hard way that success builds over time!

[rodders47 2]

shame they selected Ralfie Baby, gotta be on a loosing streak now..... never mind 2006 will improve

[Buttonfan 0]

Ralk may not be that bad, he might get Toyota in a higher spot in the WCC standings than last year.

[rodders47 2]

Ralk may not be that bad, he might get Toyota in a higher spot in the WCC standings than last year.

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YEP he MIGHT... a very big ask IMO.

[jjoseph 0]

I was actually expecting them to give the big boys a hard time. Perhaps they are still in the process of developing the car, as we have seen with Renaults who are doing well these days and BAR and today it looks like the BAR are back on their feet.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Now BAR also having some problem. As of now McLaren, Ferrari and Renault have confidence about their cars. Any news from BMW ?

[Monty 0]

Now BAR also having some problem. As of now McLaren, Ferrari and Renault have confidence about their cars. Any news from BMW ?

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Sam Michael feels it is going to be a long battle for FW27 this year as well. Apparently they are not very impressed with it.

[Jem of the Shire 0]

I think this will be Toyota's last year, which is a shame, I'd like them to stay but only because I'd like to see a 22-car grid in 2006. I disagree about problem with drivers, Ralf & Trulli are both top drivers who can drive brilliantly. But yes they're not too happy with the car losing performance after a few laps, and if this means they don't get many points, that'll be the end. Perhaps they'll qualify well, seeing as the car is good for 3 laps, then in the race everyone will pass them!

[Jenson_Rules 0]

ahhh well. Im just gutted BAR are having problems, i really do feel like crying, lol

[Ash 0]

ahhh well. Im just gutted BAR are having problems, i really do feel like crying, lol

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You cry too much! Get on your knees and start praying. It really looks like they're gonna need it.

[Jenson_Rules 0]

They r gonna need more than just me praying. They r gonna need a miracle!

Ahhh well, all will come good eventually!

[rodders47 2]

yeah who knows, one of those "Flying Pink Elephants" may drop a S...T LOAD on Shumies car and BAR might scrape in or even Toyota !!!

and I'm gonna win the bloody LOTTERY in the next zillion years

[nojvnof1 0]

now looking outside for flying pink elepha.....oh wait I think I see... nope, it was a flying pig. Pity you didn't say pigs might fly, then we'd have been in for some interesting races Carry on....

[Monty 0]

[/b]Gascoyne remains confident for Australia

"I am not and never have been concerned by lap times from test sessions," insisted Gascoyne.

"In my opinion, people tend to read far too much into testing times, which gives an unrepresentative picture of team performance.

"Each team has its own bespoke testing programme and it serves no good to be tempted to lower the fuel load for a quick test lap. We have been focussed on long runs to evaluate our performance and a clearer indication of our true competitiveness will only be seen in Melbourne. I stick to my firm belief that Toyota will enjoy a successful season in 2005.

Gascoyne stressed the biggest challenge for this weekend in the season's opening Grand Prix race in Australia, will be seeing who has best adapted to all the new rules and regulations.

"All teams will have to deal with many unknown factors during the Australian GP weekend, as a result of the revised technical and sporting regulations," he said.

"We have had to develop an engine to last two race weekends, tyres to last a complete race distance, and we have a new qualifying format. This combined with the aero restrictions for 2005 will make Australia a particularly challenging weekend for everyone.

"I think we have an exceptional reliability record from pre-season testing, so I am confident that we will be okay on that front. Performance-wise, it is almost impossible to draw conclusions and we will have to wait and see come Melbourne where we stand in relation to our rivals."

[Monty 0]

I have complete faith in Mike's ability. I feel perhaps by midseason they will be a serious contender banging on Williams and BAR's back...